Salvia Divination
raen1111

 
I am putting on my snakeskin-tune boots, wings dripping wet with the ripple refrain
My heart is muscle ache sore after the bee sting symphony
The previous wane almost did me in, boiling skin and widow’s shriek
I was wide-eyed mesmerized by poet promises and ocean eyes but in the end
It was only a sea of broken-glass lies, he was locked in glass coffin on the mercurial bed
And quick, quick bottom bound ~  deep concealment, moldering secrets, seeping
Poison into the today ~ dark dropping, shadow skittering charade ~

Hush, there are black things creeping
Through demon dreams, stealing away your lightening strength and piping
Smoke into the crocodile bed, laying shattered for eleven days among
The bleeding hearts, clinging to the Magdalene’s feet, candle flicker casting
The promise of glow across my darkening features, my broken fate ~
I had thought the trinity complete, hawk shriek promises and sparrow whispers
I had seen the top of the hill, soft embrace and the sunset days spilling over
The ancient page ~ illusions drawn on soft skin, washed away in mother’s fountain

“Last time you saw him he drowned you in the still lake, crosses still
Burn with your secret name”

he was shredded tone and in need of eagle wings
In the end, the only protection she needed, was from the one who claimed
To be her protector, rotting brain with twisting thoughts feeding deeply from the harpy’s
Song, he left the baby in the basket ~ blizzard and lost in the snow blind ~ all was
sacrificed, not even a scrap could be saved, skin stripped from bone
“I destroy everything I touch”
Then he packed his bags, turned and walked away, already tendrils slipping into hearts
Less shattered by his scar scratched claws, reminiscent and sweeter to the taste ~

Blaringly quiet, stunned eyes surveying the surprise of the hard-won road ~

I draw around my shoulders the moon crust robes, take my vows, seal and reclaim
My soul, chakras in the pinwheel spin ~ “you are always you” ~ prodigal, I have been too busy with the quick sand karma and the tar pit trauma ~ but that is an older story and the skipping record will be broken between the sheets of the virgin bed ~
I will walk barefoot in the snow ~ I will never again climb into the snowdrift forgetting ~

climbing into the phoenix pyre, screaming with agony, embracing the pain, holding it in gentle cupped hands, I am learning to let it wash me away ~

birth then death then rebirth ~ spiral life and when it ends

I am tree woman with stars in my hair ~ my roots creating life within the earth and my limbs and leaves making love to the sky ~

I will forgive the father ~

I will remember my name ~

I thought it was all about the three and the seven,
But in the end it was all about the eleven, this salvia divination.


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Paris on the Plains ~ A French Menu for a Laid Back Soirree
raen1111
I had meant to post this a bit earlier in November but the month has taken on a life of its own.  Today, I sit in a slice of warm sun as a cold wind pushes up against the house, making me snuggle deeper into my chair.  Nibbling on some left over pumpkin pie and sipping on a cup of coffee, seems a perfect time to pull together the menu and share it with you ~ 

It is that time of year when you bring the people you love together and share your heart with them by preparing and sharing food.  This menu does just that and is so nurturing, easy and delectable you may find yourself integrating some of the dishes into your day-to-day meal planning.  When you send out invitations you may want to ask people to break out their berets, everyone came to our party in the European costume of their choice which made the whole evening just that much more whimsical and fun(ny)!  The Ratatouille recipe serves between 4-6, so you may need to double it/triple it depending on your number of guests.  Everything else is suited for around 10 dinner guests so adjust recipes as needed for your party.

I am all about easy, nothing on the menu is hard to make.  Just because it is French doesn't mean you have to be a gourmet chef to make it taste good.

Happy Holidays and Bon appétit ~


Paris on the Plains


~Menu~

Ratatouille

Grand Aioli

French Salad with Herbs and Flowers

Cheese Plate w/ Tri-Colored Grape Bunches

Baked Brie

Crepes with Nutella


 ~ Ratatouille ~
 (2 hours to make)

1 large eggplant
salt and black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp truffle oil (substitute with more olive oil if you don't have truffle oil)
4 shallot cloves, diced
1 small onion, sliced
2 large garlic cloves, crushed
4 zucchini, sliced
1 28 oz can of whole, stewed tomatoes
1 large red pepper, cored, seeded and sliced
1/4 tsp sugar
2 tbsp basil paste (I use "Gourmet Garden, Basil herb blend" found in the herb section of the produce aisle)
1/4 tsp crushed or ground coriander seeds
4 tbsp fresh basil leaves to garnish
1/2 cup sliced almonds (lightly sauteed in butter)

Step 1.  Cut the eggplant into 1/2 inch slices.  Place in a colander, sprinkle generously with salt, and leave to stand for about 30 minutes.  Rinse the eggplant slices and pat dry with paper towels.

Step 2.  Heat the olive oil in a large skillet, add the shallots, onion and garlic, and cook gently, stirring occasionally, for 3-5 minutes, until softened.

Step 3.  Add the eggplant slices, cover, and simmer gently for 20 minutes.

Step 4.  Add the zucchini, tomatoes (drain the water and break them apart with a spoon), red pepper, sugar, and salt and pepper to taste and cook gently, covered, for 45-60 minutes, until the vegetables are soft but retain their shape.  Do not stir vigorously or you may break them up.

Step 5.  Ten minutes before the end of cooking time, add the 2 tbsp basil paste and the 1/4 tsp crushed/ground coriander seeds.  Taste for seasoning.

Step 6.  Garnish with  as much fresh basil as you please and top with the toasted almond slices.

~ Modified recipe, original recipe found in Classic Home Cooking with Mary Berry and Marlena Spieler



 ~ Grand Aioli ~



Okay, for the Aioli, I am going to send you the the NPR website where I first heard of the recipe.  This garlic mayonnaise has become one of my all time favorite comfort foods.  For our party, I served it with fresh french bread, hard boiled eggs, 2 rotisserie chickens from the store, and a layout of fresh cut veggies (carrots, peppers, zucchini, tomatoes).  I think you are going to absolutely love it ~





~ French Salad with Herbs and Flowers ~

 I told you I love easy ~ in the salad section at Whole Foods I found a pre-prepared salad from Organic Girl called "vive la France" ~ so, I bought one tub of that and a tub of the "fresh herbs and greens" from the same company and then teeny, tiny organic tomatoes and a package of Edible Flowers found in the fresh herb section.  When I got home, I poured everything into a huge wooden bowl, gave it a toss or two, sprinkled with toasted almonds and VOILA ~ a fabulous salad, everyone loved.  We served it with A L'Olivier Truffle Balsamic Vinegrette.  



Helpful Hint:  Don't leave out the flowers, you will never see your friends so happy as when they are eating fresh flowers, it's not really French but it is something you don't want to miss!   



~ A Handy Guide to Creating the Perfect Cheese Plate ~
 


No need to re-invent the wheel ~ follow this link to a blog with great directions:

 
I do like to add a platter of tri-colored grape bunches along side the cheeses.




~ Baked Brie ~

 
Again, you can't get any easier!

2 rounds of brie
St. Dalfour Four Fruits Spread
Toasted Almond Slices (about 1/3 cup for each round)
1.  Pre-heat oven to 350
2.  Gently toast almonds in a skillet with a bit of butter
3.  Place your brie rounds in a baking dish or pan
4.  Generously spread the tops of your brie with the fruit spread
5.  Sprinkle with almond slices
6.  Bake for 20ish minutes
7.  Most yummy thing you will EVER taste!!!!!






  For Dessert, Crepes w/ Nutella and a box of Gourmet Chocolates 


I was lucky enough to have a friend willing to prepare these fresh for the guests as they requested ~ here is an easy, yummy recipe from

 


We also had a box of neuhuas chocolates to pass around ~

and of course we had bottles and bottles of Bordeaux : )



 Hope you find this little party easy and fun to share with your friends ~








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dancing with wooden bowls
raen1111
shush, hush, silent night ~ tea sip, firelight ~
trees putting on their winter bones ~ barefeet
padding down iced cobble stones ~ slipping off
my wings as i weave snakes into my hair,
knitting roses into paper skin ~ all these scars, my
tattooed life ~ glowing grin {shrug} it's alright ~ as long
as the sage blooms red and wild, i can breathe
again, think, feel, stay awhile ~ tumble fall
through cicada fog, long ago dreams, fire fly
spring ~ mason jars and releasing things ~
my friend told me i was a good thought and that
is enough warmth to sustain me through
winter ~ the moon crust crushing against earth ~
waxing, waning, cold star dance ~ surprised doe,
trembling stance ~ wooden bowl release at
mother's feet ~ truth is my new best friend, freed
me from the siren's net ~ she is insistent, and
will not be sent away, she will strangle you if you
do not let her rise, so relax, raise your mouth towards
the heavens and unfurl ~ secrets held, twist into
shades with demon names ~ even to whisper them
on the wind unwinds the soul, damage done,
but not beyond repair ~ the earth smells rich and sweet,
it smells like home ~ wrapping wounds and mending
bones ~ hawk trinity dancing with my jungle heart ~
shush, hush ~ silenced night ~ winged tip then quiet flight ~
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yellow tangles
raen1111


There were spiders and honeybees in my yellow hair tangle
I cut off my own head, desperate search for disappeared voice
It had been too long in the dark carnival, couldn’t find
My way off the barbed-wire, roller coaster ~ when I
Jumped it was no wonderland fall, just butterfly wings
To help break the fall ~ I was bare-boned tired of the
Heavy fisted fights, Iscariot hearts and Pinocchio lies
The bare foot squabbles over the jagged shards of my
Broken word song, joy was drowned in the shadow cage
The screeching jezebel vultures didn’t have long to wait
The summer bared down, desert waves and dying things
I picked up the sword and cut open the sky - a million
Tears began to fall, small courage, found truth and
Everything false just fell away


And in a time when nature is usually preparing for sleep,
She remembered who she was and began to wake,
Red sumac release against new grass, inspired by rain,
Wick rising, green and true, gentle hum, beds of brown,
Stirred and re-birthed, strawberry blossoms in October ~
Starling mummerations stitching hope into the sky ~
Eagles come uncovering the river road, long lost but
Now, on my way home, snakeskin tune with a new face
sparrows with their sunflower seed dance, I dance too
with new abandon, finding my voice among the fallen leaves
thankful for the butterfly medicine and the caterpillar lesson
“off with her head” and it was the best gift I was ever given ~
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Easy Christmas Countdown Craft for Kids ~ Make Your Own Advent Calendar
raen1111

My friend Cassie Krausse posted this idea on her FB page after she and her 3 year-old made theirs.


My kids were so excited to make their own.

Here are the super easy steps:

You will need:
construction paper
Tape
Scissors
Markers

1.  Cut the paper into strips.

2.  Number the strips from 1 to However many days are left until Christmas.


3.  Create a paper garland following the number sequence.


4.  Create a "Christmas Countdown" sign to anchor your garland to.


5.  Hang your "Christmas Countdown" from the wall and let kids tear off one garland loop from now until the big day!

Enjoy and Merry Christmas from Daniel, Rae, Dragan and Ella : )

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butterfly medicine
raen1111



 
Mariposa Medicine

So into dark places
Slide, like night sky
Into universe drink –

Prayers, flags on
The wind, shadows
Catching whispers
 Of light ~

Tiny phrases, rose
Petal offering,
Candle flaming
Heart

Moon catching sun,
Ancient stories
Twinkling above

All these things,
Caught with luminescent
Filament on grey matter

Then stored away
Inside your honeycomb
Heart 
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The Journey of the Magdalene
raen1111
 
The virgin, pleasant whispers
Of shifting color and soft
Wooden sighs, she shimmers
But she is not indecisive.
Her children spill from her
Summer skirts, holding hands
Already they journey through
A fragrant and foreign land.

                I went to San Luis, Colorado looking for Mary but not certain what I would find.  I had seen an online ad for a little coffee shop called “Café Rosa Mystica” and in a day where I had nowhere to go, I thought the café as good a place to start as any.  So off I went, leaving my husband on his mountain, ready to embark on his own journey.   Armed with my journal, my sketchbook, colored pencils, a camera and wearing my heart on my sleeve I took off, knowing at the very least I would have access to coffee and some quiet moments away from everything familiar.  A rare chance to steep myself in the sacred space of the unknown.

                When I first found out Daniel and I would be taking a quick trip out to Colorado and that I would have a full day and night to myself, I started calling this time alone my “Mary” journey or my “Magdalene” journey.    “Mother Mary” had come to me in a vision several months ago and imprinted herself on my heart.  This journey was initiated within the folds of that vision.  That particular vision also included visits by Quan Yin and Aphrodite.  I was interested in this mix of female deities and with a little “Google” research; I found that they culminate into what some call the “Magdalene”.   “Mary Magdalene was and is Isis, the Alpha and the Omega. She is Sophia who is Wisdom who is Spirit who is the Divine Feminine who is Shakti who is God manifest—she is the Goddess. As God is Source itself, the Goddess is the Emanation or the Play of God—in other words, the Dance of Creation. The Goddess is the World.”  http://www.thesecretmagdalene.com/mariamne.html

                So what is a Mary journey?  I don’t really know other than it is a kind of burning inside my heart to push myself into the best of who I can be in this life.  I have always been open to growing and changing but starting with this new year and the death of my beloved maternal grandmother the openness I had always had and cultivated started to turn into a burning desire to grow, change and surrender to spirit.  It borders on desperation, and my heart is not unlike my little woodland herb garden, where each of the herbs strain toward the filtered sun, so that the whole garden seems to tilt as the tender plants reach with all their might towards the light that feeds them.  It is holy desperation to leave behind what I have been in order to embrace what I truly am.

                As I drive up to the café I get goose bumps.  It is in the shadow of a hill that twists and turns up to a monastery.  As the path winds up the hill, the 12 positions of the cross are depicted.  It is quite a sight and I am enchanted ~ strangely, it seems like exactly the right place to be.  Entering the shop, I can’t control the tears as they rise in my eyes.  All around me are home-made altars to Mary.  I am on the right path, using only intuition and luck ~ it is hard to explain but my head sings as my heart hums.  Even if this is the only place the journey leads to I feel content.  I curl up at a table and sip my coffee as I journal and sketch.

 
                I take time to visit each of the small altars and admire the love and care taken to build them.  As I peruse I find a small wooden table covered with local flyers.  Among them is a flyer for “Mother Mary’s Garden” – a sweet, graceful wooden statue of the Mother Mary surrounded by a non-denominational healing garden.  I know this is where I am bound and I gather up my things for a 5 mile journey south.

                Typical, I take the wrong turn as I try to find the garden and end up instead at a small lake.  I back track a bit and eventually find the garden.  If every time I got lost on a journey, I quit, I would have never gotten anywhere!  Quiet, no one else is around.  I park and read the sign stating that the garden is still under construction but that visitors are welcome from sunrise to sunset.   I gather up some rose water, 4 shells I have brought from home, my camera and a small statue of the Mother Mary I had purchased from Café Rosa Mystica.  It is perfectly pristine and peaceful as I walk toward the statue.  As I approach, two labyrinth gardens unfold on either side of me.  And multiple small gardens abound, a Stone Henge garden, a Star of David garden.  It is healing here and I let the good energy enter my bones. 

 Mary stands among flowers, well-love and well-tended.   She is tall, over 10 feet, with the sweetest carved face, she reminds me very much of Mother Theresa.  I take the shells I have brought and lay them at her feet then sprinkle them with the rose water.  I go and sit on one of the nearby benches soaking in the beauty of the day and of the Mary Garden.  As I sit, a car approaches and I start to gather up my things thinking it is time to leave.  A man and woman get out of the car and come into the garden.  The woman asks, “How did you hear about us?”  and I told her about the brochure I had found.  She introduced herself as Susan and told me her story, her own encounter with Mary that had touched her heart and led her to creating this healing garden where people from anywhere and everywhere can come for physical, spiritual and emotional healing. You can find Susan and Milt’s story at http://www.casadesantamaria.org/

                As Susan and I chat while Milt weeds the garden,  a rainbow appears in the sky.  It reaches down, arching over Mary’s head and nestles into a nearby mountain.  Susan notes that this is the first rainbow she has seen here, in the Mary Garden.  She looks at me and says, “It must be for you.”  And in that moment, it does seem as if it is for me and I take some time to walk through the gardens.  Meditating on the rainbow and letting love permeate my being.  The rainbow lasts for about 10 minutes, gaining in strength and intensity then slowly it fades away.  As it fades, I feel it is time for me to journey back to Fort Garland and my motel bed.  I go to say goodbye to Susan and Milt and thank them for following spirit and building this sacred space.  As I leave, Susan calls out to me, “Rae, are you a healer?”  


 Am I a healer?  My whole life I have been called.  I have felt the urging in my heart ever since I was a small child.  I am training now, as a curandera, I can feel I have the raw potential to be a healer (we all do) and as I train I hope to open my gift so I can share it with the world.  I tell Susan that I am on the path to becoming a healer.  And then the most miraculous thing happens.  She invites me to return to “The Mary Garden”.   They will be building a “casa” on this land, behind the Mary totem.  It will be open to all, a place to come for healing.  She has invited me to return, to offer my loving service at the casa and work as a healer for those that come.   She says that I can come for a 2 week stay, stay at that casa and tend to the garden and those that come.   I am moved beyond speech.    My heart opens so wide, it feels as though it begins to crack and I know this is the culmination of my Mary Journey.  A journey to healing – for myself, for  others, for the world.

                I drive away from “Mother Mary's Garden” with tears streaming down my face.  My heart is full of love and I can feel my beloved Grandmother sitting beside me.  The journey continues, every day the moment I find myself in is the destination.  I am full of rainbow gratitude and humbled beyond words by the miracles that unfold around me.   So I say, "hush and let your heart be at peace".  Come with gentle step  to the Mary Garden, sit with me for a moment, hold my hand in quiet air as we journey to the place where we can remember who we are.


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